"Then if I stood the test you would believe me innocent?"
The magistrate reflected a moment. "I should be forced to believe one of two things," he said; "either that you are innocent or that you are a man of extraordinary mental power. I don't believe the latter so—yes, I should think you innocent."
"Let me understand this," laughed the prisoner; "you say over a number of words and I answer with other words. You note the exact moment when you speak your word and the exact moment when I speak mine, then you see how many seconds elapse between the two moments. Is that it?"
"That's it, only I have a watch that marks the fifths of a second. Are you willing to make the test?"
"Suppose I refuse?"
"Why should you refuse if you are innocent?"
"But if I do?"
The magistrate's face hardened. "If you refuse to-day I shall know how to force you to my will another day. Did you ever hear of the third degree, Groener?" he asked sharply.
As the judge became threatening the prisoner's good nature increased. "After all," he said carelessly, "what does it matter? Go ahead with your little game. It rather amuses me."
And, without more difficulty, the test began, Hauteville speaking the prepared words and handling the stop watch while Coquenil, sitting beside him, wrote down the answered words and the precise time intervals.